thornycroft



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APPARATUS FOR CONT RRRRRRRRRRRRRR E.

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J. I. THORNYGROPT.

APPARATUS FOR GONTROLLING PRESSURE. .No. 394,520. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

(No Model.) 7 SheetsSheet 3.

J. I. THORNYGROFT.

APPARATUS FOR GONTROLLING PRESSURB. No. 394,520. Patenjzed De0..11, 1888.

N. PETERS M'Lhbcgrapinn Wuhhgton. D.C-

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. I. THORNYOROFT.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PRESSURE.

N0.-394,520. v Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

't PETERS. Fhnlo lilhflsflflur, Washington, D. C.

(No Model.) 1 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

J. I. THORNYOROFT.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PRESSURE.

No. 394,520. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

WIZ'WIW, Jamaal (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet e.

J. I. THORNYOROFT.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PRESSURE.

No. 394,520.. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

jarwazz' N, PEIERS, Pmmumo n m. Wnslllnglnn, u. c.

(No-Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

- J. I. THORNYOROPT.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PRESSURE.

No. 394,520. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

UNITE STATES PATENT OEEicE.

JOHN ISAAC "IIORNYCROFT, OF CIIISIVHK, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PRESSURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,520, dated December 11, 1888.

Application filed Tanuary 3, 1888. Serial No. 259,737. (No model.) Patented in England March 18, 1887, No. 4,122; in France December 24, 1887,1119. 187,806; in Germany December 24, 1887, No. 43,957; in Italy March 31, 188B, XLV 150; in Spain 7 April 30, 1888, No. 7,751, and in Austria-Hungary May '7, 1888, No. 49,953 and No. Bil/1,338.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN Isaac THoRNY- CROFT, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Chiswick, in the county of Middlesex, Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, have invented Improved Apparatus for Controlling Pressure, (for which Letters Patent have been granted meas follows: Great Britain, March 18, 1887, No. 4,122; Spain, April 30, 1888, No. 7,751; France, December 24, 1887, No. 187,806; Austria-Hungary, May 7, 1888, No. 49,953, 38/1338; Germany, December 24:, 1887, No. 413,957, and Italy, March 31, 1888, No. 150, Vol. XL) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for controlling pressure. In the following description its application for the transmission of signals and orders is set forth as an example of one of its applications; but it will be obvious that such apparatus may be employed for other purposes. Thus, instead of actuating a signaling device as hereinafter described, it may be employed for operating a regulator or valve for controlling motion of a motor. \Vhen used as a signaling apparatus, signals or orders are transmitted by varying the pressure existing in a pipe or tube on which are mounted gages or indicators constructed after the manner of pressure or vacuum gages and bearing on their dials the indications corresponding to the orders or signals desired to be sent. When the pressure to be controlled is less than that of the atmosphere, the apparatuscomprises a valvecase connected atone part to an apparatus capable of exercising a constant exhausting action, at another part to the pipe in which the pressure is to be controlled, and at-athird part to the atmosphere. The first and third connections are each provided with a valve, the two valves being on one spindle and moving together. The third inlet or opening to the cylinder or valve-case is located in a piston or diaphi agm subject to the control of a spring or other force that can be adjusted. It is the power of this spring or force that determines the pressure maintained in the cylinder or val ve-casc and in the pipe or vessel connected with it. By adjustment of the spring or force the pressure can be varied.

Referring to the accompanying illustrative drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus for controlling pressure for the purpose of transmitting signals according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same parallel to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line A B, Fig. L. Figs. 4 and 5 show details. Fig. (3 is a vertical section of a device for completing the circuit of an electrical signaling apparatus when an or der has been transmitted. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, Fig. 8 a vertical section, Fig. 9 a plan or top view, and Fig. 10 a sectional detail view, of apparatus according to this invention arranged as a ships telegraph and applicable for transmitting orders. Fig. 7 is drawn to a smaller scale than the remaining figures.

'ithin the frame of the apparatus there is a bored cylinder, 1, within which there works a valve-case, 2, which can be moved up and down in the cylinder by means of a pinion, 11, which gears with teeth or rings turned on the surface of the cylinder. The pinion is rotated by an external handle, 12, furnished with a pointer, 13, and a stop-screw, 14, Fig. :i'. The pointer moves over the dial of the instrument, which maybe divided or graduated according to the purpose to which the indicating apparatus is to be put. In the case of an engine-room telegraph the dial will bear such indications as Stop, Ahead, Astern. The valve-case 2 moves practically air-tight in the cylinder 1 and communicates at its upper end with the atmosphere through holes in a cap or cover, 3. At the lower end of the valve-case is a stutiing-box working over a fixed tube, 1, which communicates by means of a passage in the frame and a pipe, I with one or more iiulicating-dials. \Vithin the pipe t is another pipe, 5, communicating through the pipe 6 with an exhausting apparatus, such as an air-pump. The entrance to the pipe 5 is commanded by a valve, 7, which is mounted on the same spindle as another it must pass both the valves 7 and 8, which are never opened together. The latter valve has its seat in a piston or hollow plunger, 9, which is connected with the valve-case 2 by a spring, 1.0. i

It is evident that if the valve-case were moved downward by the pinion, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 2, the valve 8 would leave its seat, or, rather, the seat would leave the valve, unless the spring kept the plunger 9 stationary. On the other hand, if the valve-case were moved upward, the valve 7 i would be lifted oit its seat unless the spring kept the plunger stationary.

To explain the operation of the apparatus, let it be assumed that with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2 there existsa partial:

vacuum in the pipes o and 5 and under the piston 9. The upper side of this piston is exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere, and the excess of pressure on that side is balanced by the spring 10, which is in compression. Now let the pinion 11 be turned until the pointer 13 is opposite the word Ahead. The valve-case 2 will rise, carrying with it the piston 9 and the two valves 7 and 8. The lifting of. the valve 7 will put the pipes 4E and 5 into communication, and air will be and gages with which it is connected, and

will pass away by the tube 6 to the exhausting apparatus. As this process proceeds the pressure under the piston 9 will be reduced and the piston will gradually descend, compressing the spring 10 and lowerin g the valve 7 until it again comes to its seat. WVhen this happens, the exhaustion of the pipe 4 ceases and there exists a constant partial vacuum in the pipe 4 and in its connections. This partial vacuum may be employed to operate indicating-dials, which when exhausted to this amount will have their pointers opposite the same indication as the pointer 13. In the case above assumed the indication is Ahead. If the valve-case be depressed instead of being raised, as just explained, the valve 8 will leave its seat. The atmosphere will rush through the valve-seat, impairing the partial vacuum below the piston an d the pipe 1 and its connections. The piston will then rise owing to the increase of pressure below it, and the valve 8 will close. It is therefore evident that for each position of the valve-case there is a corresponding degree of vacuum at which both the valves 7 and 8 will be shut. In the arrangement shown in these views the adjustment of the spring takes place'as the result of the motion of the piston; but it is evident that it might be effected directly from the pinion 11. If the cylinder 2 were divided into two parts, the upper part being fixed in the case 1 and the lower part being movable, then the pinion 11 would act directly on the spring 10, and the piston 9 would move within its cylinder and not be moved with the cylinder. In lieu of using a piston, a diaphragm secured at its circumference may be used.

To call the attention of the person to whom the signal or indication is sent, the apparatus shown in Fig. 6 may be employed. This consists of a case, 14*, divided into two portions bya flexible diaphragm, 15,which is normally kept in its mid-position by two springs, 16 16. Two tubes, 17 18, enter the case 14, one at each side of the diaphragm. One of these tubes is in connection with the tube 4 Fig. 2, while the other is in connection with the corresponding tube of a similar apparatus to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and which is designed to be used as a repeating apparatus by the person. receiving the order. Should a change of pressure occur in the tube 17, the diaphragm will be moved one way or the other, and the spindle attached to it will make contact with one of the brass springs, 20 20, and will complete an electric circuit in which is a signaling device, such as a bell. This device will continue to sound until the pressure in the pipe 18 is made by the action of giving the return signal to correspond with the pressure in the pipe 17.

If apparatus according to this invention be applied as an engine-room telegraph, it may happen that when the engine is stationary there will be no exhausting appliance in operation. For such a case there' are provided (Figs. 2 and 5) two electric bell-calls, 21 2]., each provided with a push or key, the one serving to convey the signal Go ahead slowly and the other Go astern slowly. As soon as the engine starts, the exhausting device comes in to operation, and any required signal within the range of the apparatus may be sent.

Figs. 7 to 10 show apparatus according to this invention arranged as a ships telegraph, and applicable for transmittin orders to the engine-room, the steering-house, or other part of the vessel. The parts corresponding 'to those in Figs. 1. to 5 are correspondingly numbered.

.The apparatus for controlling pressure is mounted on the top of a pillar, 22, and on the capital of this pillar there are three dials, the one of which indicates to the officer the signal he has sent, the second receives and shows the return-or reply signal, while the third is a speed-indicator, as will be explained later.

In the arrangement herein shown the val vecase 2 is moved endwise by a modified arrangement, in which a screw-thread performs the oflice of the rack and pinion 11 described with reference to Fig. 2. The handle 12 is connected to a ring, 23, surrounding the valvecase 2. A groove, 24, is cut lengthwise in the valve-case, and in this groove there works a key in the ring 23. Consequently when the ring'is rotated by its handle the valve-caseis rotated also; but it is free to rise or descend by reason of the screw-thread 25, which engages with a corresponding thread in the cylinder surrounding it. There need be no pointer to the dial, (though one is shown,) the officer watching the tell-tale gage to know how far he should move the handle.

Between the pipe -I and the pipe 4?, leading to the various indicating apparatus, there is interposed a cook, 25*, provided with an elongated stem or spindle which rises through the top plate of the pillar and carries a handle, 26. 011 the valve-spindle there is a flange, 27, and between it and the handle is a collar,

28. The collar works in a groove in the ring 23. The flange 27 is cut away where it bears against the ring, which has two circular recesses, 29 29, formed in it. \Vith the parts in the positions shown the handle 12 can be moved, while the handle 26 is locked. hen either of the recesses 29 29 are opposite the valve-spindle, the handle 26 can be turned to cut oit the connection between the indicating-dials and the pipe 4. The action of turning the tap or cook locks the handle 12, and the apparatus is so arranged that under these circumstances the indications point in the case of an engine-room telegraph to Stand by ahead or Stand by astern. The officer can then leave this instrument and use any other which may be fitted in a different position in the ship.

to illumine the dials at night.

If the pressure to be controlled is greater than that which has access to the upper side of the piston, the arrangement of the valves 7 and 8 will need to be reversed, the valve 7 opening when the piston descends and the valve 8 opening when the piston rises. The combined valves will then need to have their weight supported by a spring or equivalent contrivance when the apparatus is arranged vertically, as in Fig. 2, and the spring 10 wil be in tension.

\Vhat I claim is 1. In apparatus for controlling pressure, a valve-case or cylinder connected at one part to an apparatus capable of increasing or reducing fluid-pressure, at another part to the pipe in which pressure is to be controlled, and at a third part to a source of constant pressuresuch as the atmospherein combination with a piston and a valve or valves controlling two of the connections to the said valvecase or cylinder, substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for controlling pressure, a valve-case or cylinder connected at one part to an apparatus capable of increasing or reducing fluid-pressure, at another part to the pipe in which pressure is to be controlled, and at a third part to a source of constant pressuresuch as the at1nospherein combination with a piston subject to a force which can be adjusted, and a valve or valves controlling two of the connections to the said valve-case or cylinder, substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for controlling pressure, a valve-case or cylinder connected at one part to an apparatus capable of increasing or reducing fluid-pressure, at another part to the pipe in which pressure is to be coi'itrolled, and at a third part to a source of constant pressuresuch as the atmosphere-in combination with a piston subject to the influence of an adjustable spring, and a valve or valves controlling two of the connections to the said valve-case or cylinder, sul')stantially as described.

4. In apparatus for controlling pressure, a valve-case or cylinder connected at one part to an apparatus capable of increasing or reducing fluid-pressure, at another part to the pipe in which pressure is to be controlled, and at a third part to a source of constant pressuresuch as the atmosphere-4n combination with a piston, an adjustable spring, and two valves on one spindle, substantially as described.

5. In apparatus for controlling pressure, the combination, with a piston subject on one side to a constant pressure-such as the atmosphereand on the other side to the pressure to be controlled, of apparatus for increasing or reducing pressure, and two valves, one seated in the said piston and the other 3 commanding the communication to the said The pedestal or pillar may contain a light apparatus, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus for controllii'lg pressure, the combination of a piston mounted in or on a movable cylinder or seating with a spring connected at one part to the said'piston and at another part to the said cylinder or seating, and means for moving the said cylinder or seating, substantially as described.

7. In apparatus for controlling pressure, the combination of a piston mounted in or on a movable cylinder or seating, with a spring connected at one part to the said piston and at another part to the said cylinder or seating, and spur or screw gear actuated by a handle, substantially as described.

8. In apparatus for controlling pressure, apparatus for increasing or reducing pressure, in combination with a pipe or vessel in which pressure is to be controlled, a piston mounted in or on a movable cylinder or seating, with a spring connected at one part to the said piston and at another part to the said cylinder or seating, and means for moving the said cylinder or seating, substantially as described.

9. In apparatus for controlling pressure, the combination of the cylinder 2, the piston 9, the valves 7 and S, the adjustable spring 10, and the handle 12, substantially as described.

10. In apparatus for controlling pressure, the combination, with a valve-case or cylinder connected at one part to an apparatus capable of increasing or reducing fluid-pressure, at another part to the pipe in which 5 name to this specification in the presence of pressure is to be controlled, and at athird part two subscribing Witnesses.

to a source of constant pressuresuch as the JOHN ISAAC TI-IORNYCROFT. atmosphere a piston, and a valve or valves 5 \Vitnesses:

controlling two of the connections to the said W. CROSS,

valve-case or cylinder, of an indicating-dial, 3 4G Lincolns Inn Fields, London. substantially as described. TOBIAS GAINSFORD RIDGWAY,

In testimony whereof I have signed my Nofmy Public,l9 Change AZZe'y,L0ndon, E.C. 

